GASOLINE ADDICTS: Full Throttle Rawk 'N' Roll

High octane? Hell, yes. Full throttle? Fuckin’ right! All motor metaphors aside, The Gasoline Addicts are straight ahead rock ‘n’ roll that fires on all cylinders (sorry, I couldn’t resist). Hailing from Orange County, California, the four-piece rose from the ashes of former O.C. punk rockers, Liquorfish in 1998. “Jay, Roso and I were in the midst of a master plan to start something fresh when we had see this guy Rob playin with Gasoline Addicts,” admits Lead singer, Dave Turturro. “He ripped, we wanted him, we stole him and his name.” A short time later Rob and the Addicts parted ways amicably.

After adding lead guitarist Gary Iacobucci, they are shifting into high gear, set to make rock ’n’ roll the likes of which has never been seen. Blending elements of rockabilly, punk and what Turturro describes simply as, “Rawk ‘n’ Roll Baby!” “We started hitchin’ and loadin’ equipment for all the local bands we could,” says Turturro. “Social Distortion, Agent Orange, AWOL, Middle Class…. No car, no money and all the time in the world to divide and conquer. By the time we were 15 we had either loaded or lied our way into most of the clubs in LA and OC. This was the point, which would change my perspective. And that it did. At that point I knew I needed to write. Guitar, a few chords, pen and paper, lyrics and that was that. I was hooked. As soon as we could drive, it was over. No sports, No school. Just time to play, write, and of course, drink.”

The rest, as they say, is history. The members of The Gasoline Addicts are united by a single burning passion for music, as is evident in their live shows and the connections made with fans. “Good rock ‘n’ roll is what the people need and we are here to cook it up for ‘em,” explains Turturro. “The music would be inspired really by the four of us in one room and really quite frankly just being blessed with this chemistry to chew it up, cough it up and make it real tasty.” The Gasoline Addicts have been a part of the So Cal music scene in one way or another for a long time, and now, after joining Acropolis Records, stand poised to make their mark. Their new full-length, “Supercharged,” is now available on Acropolis. “We have a need to tell the world that rawk ‘n’ roll is alive and well,” proclaims Turturro. “And with their [Acropolis] help, the world will hear The Gasoline Addicts.” As for the name, since when has any rock group worth their salt been politically correct? All we’re saying is don’t expect to catch them touring in a hybrid anytime soon.

Q&A With The Gasoline Addicts

It’s been quite the journey. What are some of your personal highlights so far?Dave: We all have played some really good venues past and present in LA and OC. We had some good reviews and have played with some really great bands. We are really looking forward to broadening our horizon and playin’ unfamiliar terrain and meeting other bands who are striving to get their music heard as well.

Roso: I would say I’ve had a great life playing music. I’ve played with great players like Scott Miller (Agent Orange), Eddit Tatter (D.I.) and have done shows with LIT, Static X, Zebrahead, Kottonmouth Kings, Rule 62 and have played the House of Blues Anaheim, The Viper Room, Anaheim Stadium, The Whisky A Go Go, The Roxy and The Cat Club just to name a few.

Jay: We’ve played shows with one of our favorite bands, the legendary Cadillac Tramps.

Gary: Getting back into playing again after a long layoff. Working with these guys has been a blast. Looking forward to some big shows with national acts.

What were some of your early influences? How did you make the transition from fans to musicians?
Dave: Even though the jazz, blues, reggae, country and rawk were introduced early, I think it was the punk and ska that just kicked my ass sooo good. Later on, the stuff I was first introduced would make another impact and blend styles to give this blues/punk rawk feel — aggressive, yet melodic. How did I make the transition? I was asked if I could play guitar, I said, ‘No…no clue.’ I was handed a guitar and was told it was time to learn. We played some of those first few shows through the PA with the vocals just because we didn’t have any money to buy real amps.

Jay: Influences were The Ramones, Bad Brains, Iron Maiden, Social Distortion, Agent Orange, D.I., Adolescents, Cadillac Tramps, etc. Dad took me to the music shop at age 11 and said pick out an instrument. I chose drums and haven’t stopped playing them since that day. Also, my grandfather toured with big bands his whole life as a drummer, so that influenced my decision to pick drums over other instruments.

Gary: Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, UFO, Queen and some individual guitar players like Steve Lukather, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix. I have a little different background and influences than the other guys. My background is more Classic Rock than Punk or Ska. Also Guns ‘N Roses and S.T.P. were favorites.

You have a pretty diverse palette of individual influences, but fans of what bands do you think would most likely listen to The Gasoline Addicts?Dave: Supersuckers, Fu Manchu, All the Madmen, Cadillac Tramps, Misfits, Rocket from the Crypt, Foo Fighters, Nashville Pussy, ZZ Top, D Generation, The Dragons, The Flaming Sideburns, Hellacopters, Bad Religion.

Gary: Personally, I think we can attract a very wide audience. I think our style is old school punk mixed with a touch of classic rock and even a little bit of the blues. People who like all kinds of different bands will be open to our music. You can like The Who, Social Distortion, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, The Misfits, Foo Fighters and The Sex Pistols — on and on — and love The Gasoline Addicts.

It’s well known most of your projects have been self recorded and produced, mostly with a little help from a bottle of liquor. You have a new full length coming out on Acropolis. What’s the dirt on that?Jay: Well we recorded a five song CD back in 2000 and are currently recording new 15-song CD called “Supercharged.”

Dave: We are working with Dave Irish at Milano Studios in Orange, California. Amazing Dave, drummer of the Irish Brothers and sound engineer extraordinaire, has recorded past and present many, many fine musicians. For example, Throw Rag, Gamblers Mark, Hellbound Heyride, Reel Big Fish…etc. Down-to-earth studio, no bullshit, great ears, big help. We are are really excited to get this the hell out there. Lyrically, every person should have their own perception or interpretation of what has been written. Topics? Life, strife, sacrifice, indecision, decisions, love, lust, want, need or lack there of, losing, winning, drivin’ hard and of course overcoming all odds. We are really excited to be working with Daniel and Acropolis.